MCS interim superintendent addresses order for schools to remain closed

MADISON – Yesterday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that school campuses will be closed through the remainder of the school year, but school districts will transition to teaching students online. Click here to read related story.

Madison City Schools interim superintendent Eric Terrell addressed this change in a message to students, parents and school employees:

Governor Kay Ivey and State Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey issued a directive for schools to remain closed for the rest of the school year and shift to alternative learning methods as established by the state superintendent. This goes beyond their original April 6 school restart date. Dr. Mackey shared that the school year can be extended through June 5. If we need to move beyond our approved school year calendar, then I will let you know in the very near future.

Today, they also shared that all field trips, activities, convocations or gatherings, and athletics, whether in-state or out-of-state, should be canceled through June 5, 2020. We are very sorry for all of our students, especially seniors, who will be affected by this announcement. I know important events such as prom and graduation are on every high school students’ mind. Dr. Mackey mentioned the possibility of districts moving events such as prom and graduation to a later date, possibly summer. I can assure you that our district is exploring every possible option, and if the COVID-19 situation permits and resources/venues are available, we will certainly do our best to have these important events for students.

While I would love for schools to reopen and see students and teachers engaged again in learning and extracurricular activities, I support their decision. The public health and welfare of all citizens outweigh the need to resume school too soon and put students, employees, and families at risk.

I share Dr. Mackey’s position that the emphasis moving forward is to put a strategic focus on students mastering critical standards and also ensuring that seniors graduate as planned so they can proceed with post-high school pursuits. Our Instruction Team has alternative learning plans that continue to be refined based on information coming from the state. As these details are finalized, information will be sent.

Please remember that next week is our official spring break; therefore, there will be no alternative learning March 30-April 3.

The district has issued hundreds of devices to students of Madison City Schools. We will continue providing chromebook/WiFi hotspot devices to families expressing a need. An additional pickup date and time will be announced.

As we did when schools first closed, we will be working on food assistance for our students and will provide additional information. We will continue with the community food assistance that has been provided the last few weeks. I want to thank our church partners and volunteers for their wonderful outreach to MCS students and families.

There are a lot of unanswered questions that my staff and I will be looking into over the next several weeks. I will keep you updated as decisions are made.

These are not ordinary times. The response to COVID-19 requires extraordinary actions.�I want to assure you that we will continue to support our students and families to the best of our abilities during this time.

Mr. Eric Terrell
Interim Superintendent
Madison City Schools